June? Tell me about WDW in early June...

[jomommy]

Ok, so I haven't been to WDW in the summer since my honeymoon 12 years ago and that was August. We've taken the kids in May and planned to go in April, but we are seriously considering going for two weeks and I don't think I should (or even could) take the kids out of school that long.

I have no interest in taking five kids to FL in the August heat, but I'm concerned about waiting until June. Heat? Crowds? We loved going in early May...the crowds were soooo manageable. What's it like in the beginning of June? Is there a big summer vacation rush once school lets out?

TIA,
Jo

[laceemouse]

Many school up north do not get out until the middle of June, so if you HAVE to go in the summer, early June or late August (when southern schools are back in session) are the least crowded times to go.
June will be hot, but not as hot as August to me and not as humid. Also, there won't be the threat of hurricanes yet. I would do June if I were you.

[Sleepingbooty]

I think if you are going for two weeks, then you will have plenty of time to take things slow, and not worry about the crowds -I say go for it!

[BayouMickey]

First week of June is awesome, only crowds is during the weekend for "Gay Days".

[elizablake]

We went in June 2009 and it couldn't have been too bad since we are planning to go back next year at the same time.

We found the crowds to be manageable with a good plan. We also choose which park we were visiting carefully and arrived 30mins before rope drop.

If you have been in August then you are aware of the heat. We were surprised how much the heat exhausted us (or maybe it was the 4 kids). Even with an afternoon break, we didn't return most evenings. So we were glad that we didn't get park hoppers. Also, the park hours are a little later so when we went out in the evening and stayed till Wishes, it was too late to get a good nights rest before the following day's rope drop. Also, we planned to see some afternoon parades but standing in the hot sun in the middle of the afternoon didn't appeal to us once we were there.

I don't think you will be disappointed as long as you have reasonable expectations and a good plan to avoid the crowds. Plus, it sounds like you are planning a long enough trip to not be rushed. A link to my trip report for that week is in my signature. It might give you an idea of what to expect.

Maybe we will see you there!

[GBBTomorrow]

This year it was unseasonably hot and humid in June, but usually I think it's a nice time to go. It's interesting while you're there to watch the crowds grow day by day as more and more people finish their school years. It's usually pretty obvious, the difference between your first few days and your last.

This year by mid-June we were crazy with the heat and humidity, but like I said, that was unusual for June. It felt much more like our August trips. Generally it's hot, but the humidity hasn't kicked in full force yet.

[katepass72]

Early June should be nice - crowds not awful yet, temps hot but not unbearably so. We went in mid June - first half of vacation the crowds weren't too bad but by the last half it was definitely busy. I agree with OP - since you're going for two weeks you should be able to work everything in around the crowds. Happy planning!

[Manda]

We went in August 2008 (9th through 16th) and June 2009 (6th through 13th). Of the two, August was much better. So much better. Really. :lol: June was mostly tolerable, but it was definitely the most crowded of any of the times that I've been there. And it felt a lot hotter than me than August - but that could be because you're more used to the summer heat by the time August rolls around. The sun was also much more brutal in June - closer to summer solstice, so longer days and more direct sun. I had a really, really hard time keeping our very white skin white in June. August is also cheaper. I'd have to think really hard about going back in June, but I'd definitely go back in August.

[jomommy]

for the replies. It's making me feel more at ease about going during what I've always pictured as a "busy" season. (Given it's summer and school's out.) I think we may give it a try. We've decided to try to take the kids every other year and make it one big trip and last time we went for 8 days and wish we could've stayed a couple more.

Depending on what deals are released, it may be the same difference to go for 14 days. I do think getting up for rope drop and going back some nights for EMH (we were surprised our kids were up for it last time) will help us do all we want. I just don't want to be overwhelmed trying to navigate through seas of ppl with five kids (two in a stroller). We'll only have 10 day park hoppers, so I'll be able to plan lots of down time/relaxation through out the trip.

Thanks again.

Any other input is greatly appreciated, too.

[jomommy]

Originally Posted by Manda

We went in August 2008 (9th through 16th) and June 2009 (6th through 13th). Of the two, August was much better. So much better. Really. :lol: June was mostly tolerable, but it was definitely the most crowded of any of the times that I've been there. And it felt a lot hotter than me than August - but that could be because you're more used to the summer heat by the time August rolls around. The sun was also much more brutal in June - closer to summer solstice, so longer days and more direct sun. I had a really, really hard time keeping our very white skin white in June. August is also cheaper. I'd have to think really hard about going back in June, but I'd definitely go back in August.

Did you find a serious difference in the crowd levels?

[elizablake]

Originally Posted by jomommy

I just don't want to be overwhelmed trying to navigate through seas of ppl with five kids (two in a stroller).

The only times we felt like we were "navigating through seas of people" was during Spectromagic and Wishes. Otherwise, the lines are longer at the rides, shows, characters, resturants and bathrooms. But just walking around didn't feel any busier that Jan.

[laceemouse]

Originally Posted by Manda

We went in August 2008 (9th through 16th) and June 2009 (6th through 13th). Of the two, August was much better. So much better. Really. :lol: June was mostly tolerable, but it was definitely the most crowded of any of the times that I've been there. And it felt a lot hotter than me than August - but that could be because you're more used to the summer heat by the time August rolls around. The sun was also much more brutal in June - closer to summer solstice, so longer days and more direct sun. I had a really, really hard time keeping our very white skin white in June. August is also cheaper. I'd have to think really hard about going back in June, but I'd definitely go back in August.

Except for 5 years in Chicago I have spent most of my life in the deep south. I always think that August and September are hotter and more humid than May and June. Last May and June were an exception, it was hotter than normal across the south. The reason that hurricanes come in August and September is because of the oppressive heat and humidity.
August is generally free food, but there are different deals all through the year now.
I am guessing if the OP is out of school in early June her kids will be back in school by mid-August. That is usually the way it goes. So they would miss free food anyway.
If August felt cooler to you, great, but you can see average temps at weather.com

[Magalex]

Originally Posted by Sleepingbooty

I think if you are going for two weeks, then you will have plenty of time to take things slow, and not worry about the crowds -I say go for it!

I agree with this statement. We visited WDW in June 2007 & June 2009. This past June was very HOT but it is not the norm as others have stated. If need be we will return again in June 2011. We are trying to visit in Nov 2010 but that trip may center around Universal & Sea World for only a few days. Have a great time in June Don't worry

[debelfish]

We were in WDW june June 6th through 14th this past summer. A couple of things surprised me about traveling in June as opposed to Nov. and January. The crowds were very managable.

The park hours were longer and I thought we would spend more time in the parks at night. Well we were too tired to go back and stay late. Luckily we picked Beach Club and enjoyed the pool more so than any other trip. I would spend a little more to stay at a nice place.

The weather was great, for the first five days of the trip I didn't think it was hot. I know that others said how hot June was but we I think there was a "cool front" for the first part of our trip.

When it did heat up there was no afternoon thunderstorms. 8 days in florida and not one thunderstorm! They closed the pool breifly because it looked threatening but it passed by. I was counting on Tstorms to cool of the night, no such luck.
We really enjoyed Star Wars Weekend. MY DS 10 loves Star Wars and he had so much fun trading candy with a Jawa, seeing R2D2, and seeing the parade. If you have a SW fan it is fantasatic.
I don't think you could go wrong in June.
Have a great time
Elizabeth

[Manda]

Originally Posted by jomommy

Did you find a serious difference in the crowd levels?

Yes, definitely. We're rope drop people (DS is up at 5, *SIGH*). We almost always have most everything done before others start showing up and we follow the unofficial guide and/or TGM recommendations for parks to visit. Our normal strategy/pattern didn't work in June. Even shortly after rope drop, lines were already building and the parks felt crowded.